Construction on Texas 242 flyovers should begin in next couple of months

Nancy Flake

Published
7:15 pm CDT, Monday, March 26, 2012

Montgomery County commissioners’ approval Monday to fund Pate Transportation Partners for management services of two “flyovers” at Texas 242 and Interstate 45 signals the near-imminent beginning of construction on the ramps.

Commissioners approved paying $1.15 million to Pate to oversee construction of the flyovers, the final road project from the county’s $360 million bond package voters passed in 2005.

Pate was hired to oversee the county’s pass-through toll agreement signed by Montgomery County and the Texas Department of Transportation. The agreement accelerated construction that expanded FM 1488, FM 1314 and the redirection and expansion of FM 1484.

The two flyover ramps were a part of that initial pass-through toll agreement and will be the only project that will charge a toll to drivers. Similar to the flyover ramps at Woodlands Parkway and I-45, the flyovers at Texas 242 will allow drivers to bypass heavy traffic during peak hours.

One of the ramps will allow drivers heading north on I-45 to drive over the Texas 242 intersection and continue west on 242, while the second will take drivers on Texas 242 west of the interstate to continue south on I-45.

“We’re waiting on final approval from the (Federal Highway Administration). We hear it’s been approved,” he said. “If that’s done, I think the bid can go out soon.”

But the project has yet to receive environmental clearance, “which is the holdup,” County Engineer Mark Mooney said, and which has “bounced” back and forth between TxDOT and the county.

“We’re hoping we get the Finding of No Significant Impact issued at any time. The construction plans are complete and they’ve been reviewed,” he said. “Once the FONSI is approved, the plans will be issued for final review at federal highways. Hopefully we’ll get a letter of authorization required to (request bids).”

County officials are hopeful that the process takes place between now and May, with requests for bids to go out in May and “hopefully construction to start in June,” Mooney said.

Once construction begins on the flyovers, it is estimated to take 14 months for completion.